The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rolling, and Baker Mayfield has a respectable case to be thought of a frontrunner for the NFL MVP trophy.
The Buccaneers improved to 4-1 after an exciting shootout with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5. Mayfield outdueled Sam Darnold in a conflict of 2018 NFL Draft prime 5 quarterbacks.
Mayfield completed with a profession day passing the soccer. He had 379 passing yards and two touchdowns on 29-of-33 passing. He additionally rushed the soccer 5 instances for 15 yards.
Since arriving in Tampa Bay, Mayfield has utterly turned his profession round. The Buccaneers wanted a quarterback to pivot off of Tom Brady retiring. Only a few seasons later, it’s Mayfield that has the Buccaneers trying like a severe contender within the NFC.
Earlier than the season, Mayfield was +2500 to win MVP on FanDuel Sportsbook. In simply 5 video games, his odds have already surged to +1300. He’s surpassed quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert and Jared Goff.
Whereas Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Jordan Love stand in entrance of Mayfield to win MVP this season, the Buccaneers quarterback needs to be value an actual look.
He has 4 game-winning drives this season already in video games the place Tampa Bay was tied or trailing. He has 1,283 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception.
Comparatively, Love has 1,000 passing yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. Mahomes has 939 yards and 7 touchdowns with one interception.
Earlier this season, Mayfield handled the loss of future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans like a franchise quarterback would. First-round rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka has changed into a dependable choice, already outpacing expectations for his first season. The younger wideout has caught 18 passes for 282 yards and 4 touchdowns to start out his NFL profession.
There’s no denying that Mayfield’s journey was far more distinctive than Allen, Mahomes and Love. The No. 1 total choose flamed out with the Cleveland Browns and was traded to the Carolina Panthers the place his profession was on life assist. Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams gave Mayfield yet another shot at life within the NFL, the place he was capable of present a spark and land in Tampa Bay.
Mayfield matches Tampa Bay’s group like a glove. He’s skilled sufficient to enchantment to the veterans on the roster and make them really feel snug that he can make them the promised land. At 30 years previous, Mayfield may also relate to the youthful gamers and assist them develop.
There’s nonetheless loads of soccer left to play. Mayfield’s heroics might want to proceed. Or arguably extra importantly, the Buccaneers might want to play complimentary soccer so he’s not at all times pressured to play Superman on the finish.
So long as his manufacturing continues and interceptions keep down, Mayfield may have a severe case to take dwelling the MVP.
